Flushable disposable polymeric products

Abstract

Materials suitable for preparing components of flushable drug delivery systems are described. These components include drug impermeable and drug permeable materials, including materials that can be used to control the rate of release of drugs from the device, and pressure sensitive adhesive compositions which are drug compatible. Methods for fabricating these devices, including transdermal drug delivery patches, are described.

I claim:  
     
       1. A flushable drug delivery device or bandage which degrades in an aqueous environment or sewage within one year, wherein the device or bandage comprises as a structural or adhesive component a polyhydroxyalkanoate. 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1  wherein the device is manufactured in a form suitable for use as a device selected from the group consisting of a transdermal delivery patch, a buccal delivery device, a vaginal delivery device, an ophthalmic delivery device. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1  wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate forms a laminate or barrier in the device which breaks down within six to twelve months in an aqueous environment. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1  wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate forms a woven or non-woven fibrous material which breaks down within six to twelve months in an aqueous environment. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1  comprising a biodegradable adhesive. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5  wherein the adhesive is pressure sensitive. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 5  wherein the device is an adhesive bandage. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 5  wherein the adhesive is compatible with a drug or active agent. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 8  wherein the adhesive can be used to control the rate of release of a drug incorporated into the device. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 3  wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate forms a drug impermeable membrane. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 3  wherein the polyhydoxyalkanoate comprises a drug permeable membrane. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11  wherein the membrane can control the rate of drug release from the device. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 1  wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate is a copolymer or blend with a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyurethanes, polyorthoesters, polyanhydrides, polyvinylacetate, cellulose acetate, polycarbonate, polysaccharides, polyamino acids, polyethylene oxide, and polyvinylalcohol. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 2 , further comprising an electrotransport system. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 14  wherein the electrotransport system can be removed prior to flushing the drug delivery component of the transdermal patch. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 1  further comprising a prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic agent. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 16  wherein the agent is selected from the group consisting of proteins and peptides, sugars and polysaccharides, nucleic acid molecules, and synthetic drugs. 
     
     
       18. A method for drug delivery or to protect a wound comprising providing to a patient in need thereof a flushable drug delivery device or bandage which degrades in an aqueous environment or sewage within one year, wherein the device or bandage comprises as a structural or adhesive component a polyhydroxyalkanoate. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  wherein the device is manufactured in a form suitable for use as a device selected from the group consisting of a transdermal delivery patch, a buccal delivery device, a vaginal delivery device, and an ophthalmic delivery device. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18  wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate forms a laminate or barrier in the device which breaks down within six to twelve months in an aqueous environment. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 18  wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate forms a woven or non-woven fibrous material which breaks down within six to twelve months in an aqueous environment. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 18  wherein the device is an adhesive bandage. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 18  wherein the adhesive can be used to control the rate of release of a drug incorporated into the device. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 20  wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate forms a drug impermeable membrane. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 20  wherein the polyhydoxyalkanoate comprises a drug permeable membrane, that can be used to control the rate of drug release from the device. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 1  wherein the polyhydroxyalkanoate is a copolymer or blend with a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyurethanes, polyorthoesters, polyanhydrides, polyvinylacetate, cellulose acetate, polycarbonate, polysaccharides, polyamino acids, polyethylene oxide, and polyvinylalcohol. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the device is applied for drug delivery and comprises an electrotransport system that can be removed prior to flushing the drug delivery component of the transdermal patch. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 18  further comprising administering in the device a prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic agent.